'Every show has a particular mood that people connect with' - Big FM RJ Rohit
H e could well pass off as a model with his good looks. He dons an ultra cool avatar in Big FM's brand new evening drive-time show 'Mumbai Much Much'. Armed with his humorous takes on Bollywood, this Mumbaiite is all set the entertain the city with his wit.
Radioandmusic.com's Harpreet Khokhar in conversation with RJ Rohit as he takes on Mumbai with his new show.
Excerpts:
How was the response for the contest where you were looking for a bride for yourself?
I am very excited with the kind of response that the contest garnered. It was quite a task finalising a winner but we zeroed down on one listener and shouldering this responsibility with me was actor, Akshaye Khanna. I enjoyed every bit of the evening.
Which was the weirdest proposal you received?
There was a lady aged around 40 years, who was married for the past 25 years. She said I can't marry you, but I don't mind having an extramarital affair. I thought that really sweet and shows the listeners love for me.
How did jockeying happen to you?
I had never thought about it. Most of the things you never plan happen and what you plan the most, fails. I had plans to do an MBA. One fine day, my mom woke me up and asked me give auditions somewhere. One thing led to another. And I'm here right now. It is eventually the personality that matters and that is what clicked for me in the auditions also.
How is your show different from other shows on Big?
Every show has a particular mood that people connect with. My show is different because it comes at a point when people are more stressed. They just want to vent their anger and smile. The show is more humour focused and tries to relieve people of stress. People who get stuck in traffic and are frustrated at the day's end, can find a way to relax by tuning into the station.
What has been the high point of your career thus far?
There have been a few of them. But the one that I close to me is an event that I was hosted for Aamir Khan as a Big FM RJ. It was a Laagan Match happening between Big FM listeners and Aamir and I was doing the commentary. At a point, Aamir said he hadn't seen a better host than me. It was a big compliment, knowing the kind of perfectionist he is.
What are your views on celebrity RJs? Do listeners enjoy interacting with them because of their celebrity status?
Celebrity RJing is a good thing and people do enjoy it. RJing is different from acting on television, since on radio they have to connect emotionally to the listeners and on the spot. Everything depends upon the particular celeb RJ, whether he/she can strike the rapport or not. As an RJ, they give their opinions on various issues and these answers cannot be prepared beforehand, as on television. You don't know what the celeb is going to say, since everything is very spontaneous. Television doesn't give people a chance to see this side of the celebs.
Who among the current RJs do you admire the most?
RJ Archana who hosts the breakfast show would be my pick. I think she really connects to listeners with her spontaneity and her wit. There are few girls who can be humorous and funny and she fits the bill perfectly.
What kind of preparation goes into your show?
Lots of people think that these shows are very spontaneous. But there is a lot of preparation that goes into it. We sit with our team, brainstorming on the topic for the hour, the contests, the dialogues. But once you go inside the studio, you don't have a script. You have the bullet points as to what are you are going to do for the hour. But once it starts, things are very spontaneous.
What is more difficult - interviewing an actor or a common man?
Interviewing an actor is not difficult, running behind him is the difficult part. When it comes to interviewing a common man, connecting emotionally to them is the challenge. Otherwise, it is not very difficult to interview either of them.
If given a chance, would you like to team up for a night show?
I don't mind doing any show at any time slot. The basic idea is to connect with the people and send your message across. If people think they want an edgy show at night, I'm certain I can pull it off.
Is it important for an RJ to be seen along with being heard?
In the beginning, radio was about mystery, where you could only hear the voices and didn't need to identify the face. But these days, the competition is so stiff that it is very essential for the radio stations to have their RJs present everywhere so as to make a mark on the listeners' minds. It is not by choice that it is being done. But it is a good opportunity for the RJs, especially for all those who look good too (giggles).
If given a chance, what is the one thing you would want to change about the radio sector in India?
The problem that the radio sector is facing are the restrictions that the RJs have to face when it comes to talking politics. I want things to change so that we can also comment and have a say on political issues. I would also want news to be allowed on radio so that doesn't just has to be fun and we can be as credible as other media.
H e could well pass off as a model with his good looks. He dons an ultra cool avatar in Big FM's brand new evening drive-time show 'Mumbai Much Much'. Armed with his humorous takes on Bollywood, this Mumbaiite is all set the entertain the city with his wit.
Radioandmusic.com's Harpreet Khokhar in conversation with RJ Rohit as he takes on Mumbai with his new show.
Excerpts:
How was the response for the contest where you were looking for a bride for yourself?
I am very excited with the kind of response that the contest garnered. It was quite a task finalising a winner but we zeroed down on one listener and shouldering this responsibility with me was actor, Akshaye Khanna. I enjoyed every bit of the evening.
Which was the weirdest proposal you received?
There was a lady aged around 40 years, who was married for the past 25 years. She said I can't marry you, but I don't mind having an extramarital affair. I thought that really sweet and shows the listeners love for me.
How did jockeying happen to you?
I had never thought about it. Most of the things you never plan happen and what you plan the most, fails. I had plans to do an MBA. One fine day, my mom woke me up and asked me give auditions somewhere. One thing led to another. And I'm here right now. It is eventually the personality that matters and that is what clicked for me in the auditions also.
How is your show different from other shows on Big?
Every show has a particular mood that people connect with. My show is different because it comes at a point when people are more stressed. They just want to vent their anger and smile. The show is more humour focused and tries to relieve people of stress. People who get stuck in traffic and are frustrated at the day's end, can find a way to relax by tuning into the station.
What has been the high point of your career thus far?
There have been a few of them. But the one that I close to me is an event that I was hosted for Aamir Khan as a Big FM RJ. It was a Laagan Match happening between Big FM listeners and Aamir and I was doing the commentary. At a point, Aamir said he hadn't
seen a better host than me. It was a big compliment, knowing the kind of perfectionist he is.
What are your views on celebrity RJs? Do listeners enjoy interacting with them because of their celebrity status?
Celebrity RJing is a good thing and people do enjoy it. RJing is different from acting on television, since on radio they have to connect emotionally to the listeners and on the spot. Everything depends upon the particular celeb RJ, whether he/she can strike the rapport or not. As an RJ, they give their opinions on various issues and these answers cannot be prepared beforehand, as on television. You don't know what the celeb is going to say, since everything is very spontaneous. Television doesn't give people a chance to see this side of the celebs.
Who among the current RJs do you admire the most?
RJ Archana who hosts the breakfast show would be my pick. I think she really connects to listeners with her spontaneity and her wit. There are few girls who can be humorous and funny and she fits the bill perfectly.
What kind of preparation goes into your show?
Lots of people think that these shows are very spontaneous. But there is a lot of preparation that goes into it. We sit with our team, brainstorming on the topic for the hour, the contests, the dialogues. But once you go inside the studio, you don't have a script. You have the bullet points as to what are you are going to do for the hour. But once it starts, things are very spontaneous.
What is more difficult - interviewing an actor or a common man?
Interviewing an actor is not difficult, running behind him is the difficult part. When it comes to interviewing a common man, connecting emotionally to them is the challenge. Otherwise, it is not very difficult to interview either of them.
If given a chance, would you like to team up for a night show?
I don't mind doing any show at any time slot. The basic idea is to connect with the people and send your message across. If people think they want an edgy show at night, I'm certain I can pull it off.
Is it important for an RJ to be seen along with being heard?
In the beginning, radio was about mystery, where you could only hear the voices and didn't need to identify the face. But these days,
the competition is so stiff that it is very essential for the radio stations to have their RJs present everywhere so as to make a mark on the listeners' minds. It is not by choice that it is being done. But it is a good opportunity for the RJs, especially for all those who look good too (giggles).
If given a chance, what is the one thing you would want to change about the radio sector in India?
The problem that the radio sector is facing are the restrictions that the RJs have to face when it comes to talking politics. I want things to change so that we can also comment and have a say on political issues. I would also want news to be allowed on radio so that doesn't just has to be fun and we can be as credible as other media.
Gadda da Vida is the lounge bar at the recently opened Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Designed to carry a feel of the psychedelia of the 1960’s, Gadda da Vida takes its name from Details...
Gadda da Vida is the lounge bar at the recently opened Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Designed to carry a feel of the psychedelia of the 1960’s, Gadda da Vida takes its name from Details...
